Whitecaps Updates: March 21st

Vancouver Whitecaps enter another week of trying to stay perfect in the MLS regular season. This week, it's only a one-game week playing against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. In the midst of looking forward to that match, the Whitecaps have multiple health updates and player unavailability due to international duty. Vancouver will be missing four players to international duty and multiple players because of injuries.

Let's begin with the international call-ups. Andrés Cubas, Pedro Vite, Brian White and Ali Ahmed were called up to represent their respective countries. Andrés Cubas and Pedro Vite are representing their countries for the World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Brian White and Ali Ahmed were called-up to play in the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals. Both their respective countries got defeated, the U.S.A to Panama and Canada to Mexico. White couldn't find himself on the pitch as Pochettino didn't start or substitute him on. However, for Ahmed he was part of the Starting XI for Marsch’s side, he was substituted off in the 67th minute in Canada's loss. The United States and Canada are ready to battle for third place on Sunday, March 23rd at 3:00PM P.S.T.

Ali Ahmed

Now onto the injury updates. Ryan Gauld and Sam Adekugbe remain out for at least the upcoming game. On the positive news, that's not the case for Emmanuel Sabbi. Sabbi reportedly has a chance to be in the squad this weekend, and that would be a special moment for him playing for the Whitecaps for the first time without numerous key players and he has to carry the load in front of a BC Place crowd.

Here is the exact quote from Sørensen: “Sabbi is out here so he’s getting closer and closer. I hope for him to be in the squad this weekend. We will not force anything but of course be cautious. We’ll hope to have him in the squad.” That indicates Sabbi is extremely close to making his Whitecaps debut; it's just a matter of when. If not ready this weekend, he will likely debut against Toronto FC.

Now updates for Gauld and Adekugbe. Sørensen quoted: “we will have more specific news on Ryan and Sam later in the week, I think. We’ll have a better overview of how they’re doing. Right now it’s still a couple of weeks away and a little bit undetermined”. My approximation is that Gauld is still around 2-3 weeks away from returning, and Adekugbe is around the same range.

This weekend, the Caps will be without six, possibly seven regular starters and impactful players. To summarize, Gauld, White, Ahmed, Cubas, Vite and Adekugbe are out, while Sabbi will be questionable. Although if you are the Whitecaps, your defence shouldn't be leaking many holes. All their defenders are available except for Adekugbe, which they haven't had available since the second half versus Galaxy on March 2nd. It would be key for the Whitecaps to limit the opposition's attacking opportunities and start off attacks with ball movement and dictatorship. Blackmon, Veselinovic and Laborda have all been outstanding so far this season, their composure and readiness has to be top-notch without many players in the midfield and attack.

The Whitecaps’ unblemished record will be tested by a 2-1-1 Chicago Fire team, who aims to burn down the Whitecaps. Chicago will also be without their young American Brian Gutiérrez. Him and Brian White will be trying to win the trophy for the United States. It will be a thrill to see what Jesper Sørensen has under his sleeve without his key players. The matchup against Chicago surely looks like an enticing one.

Ranko Veselinovic